Our work in Whitstable

The Labour Party has nearly 800 members and is continuing to grow. We are a diverse group of local people who believe our communities deserve better than a Conservative Government and their aggressive cuts to our public services and their failed economic plan.

The Constituency Labour Party meets quarterly but is supported by two branches, one in Canterbury and one in Whitstable who run local campaigns.

The Whitstable Labour Club is an independently run and managed members-only bar serving the Grimshill Estate and Central Whitstable. The club regularly hosts our meetings, fundraising events and provides a venue from which we can meet members and the local community.

News

Ovalgate - the plot thickens

Here is the full text of my speech to yesterday’s meeting of the Regeneration and Property Committee (I had to cut it down on delivery). Shamefully, the committee decided against any action on the Chief Executive’s report, riding roughshod over the clearly expressed desire of the people of Whitstable Gorrell, its Councillors and ex-Councillors. The upside is that the town is united in its horror that such an iconic site should have been sold for

Labour councillor speaks out over Oval development

I’ve decided to post my speech in support of the petition to review the Council’s decision to sell the Oval. The response of the committee was mixed with some hostility but many councillors were prepared to listen to the people of Whitstable speaking in favour of a review. The good news is, the petition wasn’t thrown out. The bad news is that the decision isn’t going through a full review but the committee will analyse

Questions on the Ladesfield Refugee Centre development

At a meeting with other Councillors for Whitstable yesterday, I put a number of questions to KCC representatives Philip Segurola, Director of Specialist Children’s Services and Peter Oakford, Cabinet Member for Specialist Children’s Services. We were given answers to some of our questions and here they are. I’ll let you know as other answers are provided.

Labour opposed the closure of the Ladesfield Care Home in Vulcan Close and has campaigned to have it reopened. The building, however, currently stands empty and is in clear need of repair. I consider its use as a temporary shelter for refugees under 18 as a sensible and